Cafe Nefola Brings Fresh, Locally-Sourced Lunch to Ventura

Finally, there's no need for Ventura's day trippers to pack lunches before they set out for Ventura's parks and beaches. Cafe Nefola's relocation from Oxnard brings fresh and locally-sourced breakfast and lunch dishes to the area, and the restaurant is quickly becoming a favorite of Ventura locals and Los Angeles tourists alike.

In the fall, pumpkin takes center stage on the menu, appearing in its delicious pumpkin soup and decadent pumpkin, white chocolate and macadamia bars. In winter, arugula, romaine, and other dark leafies move into the spotlight.

Each of the cafe's dressings and soups is made in-house daily, with bottled dressings available for purchase. Nefola even makes its own peanut butter, oil-free hummus, lemonade and ice cream – ensuring all its foods are free of preservatives and other additives.

Cafe Nefola's smoothies range from the healthy kale/whey/spinach variety to the more indulgent chocolate/peanut butter/banana sort. Customers may order salads ranging from the safe and familiar Caesar to the wilder Pass the Greens, which includes arugula, broccoli, snow peas, cilantro, green onion, sunflower seeds, goat cheese and pesto.

Sandwiches also range from outrageous to mundane. The eatery even offers two tuna melts: the Screamin' Tuna smears tuna on jalapeno cheese bread and covers it with jack cheese, pepperoncini, spinach, spicy mayo and balsamic vinaigrette, while the Deep Sea Melt is the more standard tuna melt you already know and love.

With salads and sandwiches priced around $8 and smoothies at $5, the value at Cafe Nefola is exceptional for the quality of its products.

"Made to order" is the cafe's motto, and it's meant quite literally: Cafe Nefola even features a "build your own" menu, which allows customers to choose their own ingredients for salads and sandwiches.

This is the perfect solution for local worker bees and visiting families who are looking to both satisfy cravings and obey dietary restrictions. The cafe is also vegan-friendly, with at least one vegan sandwich and a whole menu of vegan soups available.

Lest you think there's nothing at Cafe Nefola for your health-food-phobic lunch companion, rest assured the cafe offers cheesy paninis, pancakes, and a whole host of milkshakes and sundaes made from its homemade ice creams.

Cafe Nefola also offers a kids' menu, making it a trustworthy place to grab lunch no matter who you're heading to the beach with.